Pneumatically actuated stunt device

ABSTRACT

A toy vehicle trackset includes a trackway and a plurality of pneumatically actuated stunt devices within the travel path of the trackway. A source of compressed air is applied to one or more of the stunt devices to act upon a toy vehicle traveling the travel path.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of Provisional Application 60/538,853entitled PNEUMATICALLY ACTUATED STUNT DEVICE filed Jan. 23, 2005 onbehalf of the applicants of the present application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to toy vehicle tracksets andparticularly to those employing movable actuated stunt devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Practitioners in the toy art have attempted to improve the amusementvalue of toy vehicle tracksets by adding a variety of so-called stuntdevices. Many stunt devices include an actuated or articulated elementwhich moves to alter the travel path of a toy vehicle within a trackset.A recent trend in toy tracksets has been the provision of user operatedstunt devices allowing further interaction and amusement for the user.For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,789,540 issued to Covertine et al. setsforth a COMPRESSED AIR PROPELLED TOY VEHICLE AND LAUNCHING SYSTEM inwhich a toy vehicle is propelled by a compressed air operated turbinemotor. The motor is connected through a gear train to the driving wheelsof the toy vehicle. A launching structure having an air pump togetherwith an air hose for connecting the air pump to the vehicle motor and alaunching system operative to hold the vehicle in place is utilized. Thevehicle is held in place by the launching system as the air pump isdirected to the turbine motor to spin the turbine motor after which thevehicle is released and travels from the launcher.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,469,340 issued to Breneman et al. sets forth a PNEUMATICTOY VEHICLE PROPULSION SYSTEM having a continuous sealed tube trackwithin which a propulsion unit is supported. The propulsion unit iscoupled to the interior of the track by a pair of one way valves. An airbellows is operated by the user to impart pressurized air into the tracktube behind a toy vehicle. The toy vehicle responds to the pressure atits rear within the tube and is accelerated around the tube loop.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,438,587 issued to Marino sets forth a BLOWGUN TOY CARLAUNCHER having a toy vehicle launcher supporting a forwardly directedlaunch tube. The launch tube is coupled to a support housing and to anupwardly angled blowgun tube. A toy vehicle is configured to operativelycouple the launch tube. The user blows into the blowgun tube to compressthe air within the blowgun tube and the launch tube causing the toyvehicle to be launched.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,174,587 issued to Morin et al. sets forth an AIR TURBINEOPERATED VEHICLE ACCELERATOR TOY operative in use in a toy vehicletrackset having unpowered freely rolling toy vehicles. The acceleratorincludes a base supported within the roadway having a pair of rotatingrollers mounted in a spaced apart relationship on each side of a toyvehicle path through the base unit. A air turbine is operatively coupledto the rollers such that air directed into the air turbine providesenergy for rotating the rollers. An air pump is further supported by thebase unit and is operated by the user to provide a supply of compressedair to drive the turbine and rotate the accelerating rollers.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,070,024 issued to Hamano sets forth a CONTINUOUSRACETRACK HAVING VEHICLE ACCELERATING DEVICE consisting of a trackwayprovided with separate paths along which toy vehicles race. A propulsionsystem includes pluralities of resilient spokes associated with each ofthe paths. Each of the pluralities of spokes are mounted for rotationsuch that the ends of the spokes extend into the toy vehicle paths. Amechanism for moving each of the pluralities of resilient spokes closerto the surface of the trackway is controlled by a remote control signal.The remote control signal is generated by an air bellows.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,032,100 issued to Goldfarb sets forth a TOY VEHICLE ANDLAUNCHER USING CONTRACTIVE POWER OF LIQUID EXPANDED CHAMBER TO PROPELVEHICLE which combines a toy vehicle and a toy vehicle launcher. The toyvehicle includes a rubber bladder or chamber member which is expanded bywater or other liquid under pressure while the vehicle is held incommunication with the launcher. The launcher may include a reservoirand pump to provide the water under pressure for the toy vehicle. Whenthe chamber member is sufficiently expanded the toy vehicle is releasedunder the initial thrust of a drive spring. The expanded chamber membercontracts to expel the water through a rear outlet nozzle and propel thevehicle forward.

British Patent 2,113,560 sets forth a TOY VEHICLE LAUNCHER whichutilizes an inertial motor driven toy vehicle. The launch apparatusincludes a movable roadway segment supporting the toy vehicle in thelauncher which is moved rapidly back and forth to impart energy to theinertial motor of the toy vehicle. A restraining latch is released oncethe toy vehicle has been sufficiently energized to leave the launcher.

In a further pneumatic art generally related to the present invention, aplurality of devices have been provided which utilize compressed air asthe launching force for a projectile such as a toy rocket or glider. Onetype of such pneumatically operated toy vehicle launcher is provided bytoys which employ an air pump to provide a source of compressed airwhich is applied to a launching tube. The launching tube typicallysupports a rocket or other projectile to which the compressed air withinthe tube is applied. Examples of such pneumatically launched toyapparatus are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,557 issued to Brown; U.S.Pat. No. 4,223,472 issued to Fekete et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6321,737issued to Johnson et al; U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,165 issued to Fertig etal.; U.S. Pat. No. 3,739,764 issued to Allport; U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,046,966and 5,415,153 issued to Johnson et al.

In still other types of pneumatically launched toys, a source ofcompressed air is provided by a flexible bulb or bellows which israpidly compacted or squeezed by the user. Examples of such devices areset forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,249 issued to Fogarty et al.; U.S. Pat.No. 4,159,705 issued to Jacoby and U.S. Pat. No. 4,076,006 issued toBreslow et al.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,538,453 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,216 both issued toJohnson set forth an AIR PRESSURE TOY ROCKET LAUNCHER and TOY ROCKETLAUNCHER respectively in which a launch tube supports a closed endhollow rocket projectile. The launch tube is coupled to a source ofcompressed air such as a pump while a control mechanism within thelaunch tube controls the flow of pressurized air from the launched tubeinto the projectile.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,381,778 issued to D'Andrade et al. sets forth aPRESSURIZED TOY ROCKET WITH RAPID ACTION RELEASE MECHANISM in which alaunch tube receives a rocket projectile. A pump is coupled to thelaunch tube and to a pressure reservoir. The pressure reservoir providesan additional burst of compressed air during launch.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,706 issued to Carson sets forth a TOY ROCKETLAUNCHER which utilizes a conventional plastic beverage bottle such as a2 Liter beverage bottle for a pneumatic pressure reservoir.

Japanese Patent 5-305186 sets forth several pneumatically operated toydevices.

While the foregoing described prior art devices have to some extentimproved the art and in some instances enjoyed commercial success, thereremains nonetheless a continuing need in the art for pneumatic apparatuswhich may be utilized within a toy vehicle trackset to provide furtherinterest, amusement and user participation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to providean improved toy vehicle trackset. It is a more particular object of thepresent invention to provide pneumatically operated stunt devices withina toy vehicle trackset.

The present invention utilizes a toy vehicle trackset having one or morepneumatically actuated stunt devices within the toy vehicle trackway. Apump actuator is operatively coupled to the stunt devices by one or moreflexible hollow tubes. The actuator for the pneumatic stunt devicesincludes a compressed air reservoir having an integrally formed manuallyoperable air pump therein. Compressed air within the reservoir isselectively coupled to one or more of the stunt devices through theflexible tubes using one or more manually operated stunt actuators. Thestunt actuators comprise air valves which allow selective transfer ofcompressed air within the reservoir of the pump unit to thepneumatically activated stunt devices.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a toyvehicle trackset pneumatically actuated stunt device comprising: a toyvehicle trackway; a toy vehicle movable on the trackway; a pneumaticallyoperative stunt device coupled to the trackway such that the toy vehicletraveling the trackway encounters the stunt device; and a source ofcompressed air coupled to the stunt device, the source of compressed airbeing operated by a user to actuate the stunt device so as to act uponthe toy vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel,are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention,together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best beunderstood by reference to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures ofwhich like reference numerals identify like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 sets forth perspective view of an exemplary toy vehicle trackset;

FIG. 2 sets forth a perspective view of a further example of a toyvehicle trackset;

FIG. 3 sets forth a perspective view of a bellow actuated stunt deviceconstructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 sets forth a perspective view of an alternative bellows actuatedstunt device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 sets forth a perspective view of a still further alternatebellows actuated stunt device constructed in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 sets forth a perspective view of an air pump unit constructed inaccordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 7 sets forth a section view of the air pump unit shown in FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

By way of overview, the present invention bellows actuated stunt deviceutilizes a support frame upon which a toy vehicle track is joined. Astunt device including one or more moveable components for altering thetravel path of a toy vehicle traversing the coupled track is actuated byan air unit such as an expandable air cylinder and piston combination.The air unit is further coupled to an elongated flexible hollow tubewhich in turn is coupled to a collapsible air bellows. The user is ableto actuate the stunt unit by compressing the air bellows. Examples areshown of different types of air driven units constructed in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 1 sets forth a perspective view of a toy vehicle tracksetconstructed in accordance with the present invention and generallyreferenced by numeral 10. Toy vehicle 10 includes a scaffold-typesupport generally referenced by numeral 11. Support 11 includes a numberof base elements such as base 12 which utilizes a plurality of supportrods such as rod 13. Trackset 10 further includes an intersection 30supported by scaffold support 11. Intersection 30 includes an outer ring31 pivotally supported upon support 11 and an inner ring 32. Inner ring32 is small enough in diameter to fit within the interior of outer ring31. Inner ring 32 is pivotally secured to outer ring 31. As a result,both outer ring 31 and inner ring 32 are pivotable both with respect toeach other and with respect to support 11. Outer ring 32 is coupled to apair of track portions formed by track loop 22 and track ramp 23.Similarly, inner ring 32 is coupled to one end of track loop 22 and totrack segment 21. Because the end portion of track loop 22 are spacedfrom ramp 23 and track segment 21 respectively, a gap or “jump” isformed across outer ring 31 and inner ring 32. The angle between thejump paths thus formed within intersection 30 is determined by thepivotal positions of outer ring 31 and inner ring 32.

Trackset 10 further includes a booster 15 fabricated in accordance withconventional fabrication techniques which accelerates a toy vehiclepassing downwardly upon ramp 23. Trackset 10 further includes a flexiblemultiple apertured panel 16 which in turn is supported by an adjustablesupport 17. The remainder of trackset 10 is coupled by a track segment19 coupled to panel 16 and forming a U-Shaped portion together with astraight track segment 20. Track segment 20 is coupled to track segment21.

Track segment 21, loop portion 22 and ramp 23 are fabricated to providea trackway which is highly flexible in use and readily adjustable to avariety of curves, loops and twists. Thus, for example, ramp 23 isformed of a track segment 18 comprising an elongated frame 33 supportinga plurality of guide rail posts such as posts 34 and 35. Posts 34 and 35are supported along each side of frame 33. A pair of flexible generallyrod-like rails such as rails 36 and 37 are secured within posts 34 and35 as well as the remaining posts along frame 33. The utilization offrame 33 together with supporting posts such as posts 34 and 35 areflexible guide rails such s guide rails 36 and 37 provides a trackstructure which facilitates bending the resulting track into a varietyof curves, loops, twists and the like which are maintained in shape dueto the secure attachment of guide rails 36 and 37 on each side of thetrack frame. In the preferred fabrication of the track segments, the fitand attachment of the guide rails utilizes an extremely tight snap-fitattachment for secure holding of guide rails. Conversely, thepositioning of the guide rails after the track frame has been shaped asdesired allows the snapped in guide rails to maintain the curvature ortwist or other shaping of the track segment.

FIG. 2 sets forth a perspective view of a toy vehicle tracksetconstructed in accordance with the present invention and generallyreferenced by numeral 40. Trackset 40 differs from trackset 10 in itsutilization in a different arrangement of components and a differentcombination of components but functions basically the same. Accordingly,trackset 40 includes a loop segment 41 supported by a support structure42 together with a loop segment 44. Loop segment 44 is coupled between acurved panel 43 having a support 45 and a booster 15. Booster 15 isfabricated in accordance with conventional fabrication techniques and isused to accelerate a toy vehicle passing through the booster stage. Anintersection 30 fabricated in the manner described above in FIG. 1, ispositioned with an outer ring 31 and an inner ring 32 in a flat orcoplanar relationship. Thus, outer ring 31 is coupled to track loop 41and booster 15 while inner ring 32 is coupled to the remaining end ofloop 41 and curved panel 43.

Loop portion 41 and loop portion 44 of trackset 40 are fabricated in theabove-described manner in which a track frame supports a plurality ofposts which in turn are secured to a pair of flexible guide rails. Itwill be noted by examination of FIGS. 1 and 2 that this track structureprovides substantial flexibility and variability in shaping the contoursof the trackset.

In the horizontal configuration of intersection 30 shown in FIG. 2, thejump portions formed by the respective track segments are generallycoplanar and generally horizontal. This allows intersection 30 toprovide a more conventional toy vehicle intersecting jump.

FIG. 3 sets forth a perspective view of a draw bridge embodiment of thepresent invention generally referenced by numeral 80. Draw bridge stuntdevice 80 includes a track portion 85 coupled to a bridge support 83. Anexpandable air cylinder 88 is coupled between frame 83 and a movabledraw bridge 84. As cylinder 88 expands, draw bridge 84 is moved to theraised position in FIG. 3. Expandable cylinder 88 is coupled to abellows 81 by a flexible tube 82.

In operation, as a toy vehicle speeds down track segment 85 toward stuntdevice 80, the user attempts to time the compression of bellows 81 bypressing downwardly on bellows 81 in the direction indicated by arrow87. The resulting air compression as bellows 81 is compressed is coupledby tube 82 to air cylinder 88. Air cylinder 88 expands drawing bridgeelement 84 to the raised position shown in FIG. 3. Thereafter, toyvehicle 86 having encountered raised bridge 84 is launched in the mannershown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 sets forth a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of thepresent invention stunt device generally referenced by numeral 90. Stuntdevice 90 includes a supporting frame 91 having an air cylinder 92supported thereon. A track segment 93 is also coupled to stunt device90. A movable rotating table 94 is coupled to an expandable air cylinder92. A flexible hollow tube 95 is coupled to bellows 81 (seen in FIG. 3).As a toy vehicle travels down track segment 93, it moves onto turntabledisk 94. Concurrently, the user attempts to actuate expandable cylinder92 causing turntable 94 to spin and produce the illustrated spinout ofthe toy vehicle.

FIG. 5 sets forth a perspective view of a still alternate embodiment ofthe present invention stunt device generally referenced by numeral 100.Stunt device 100 includes a frame 101 supporting an expandable aircylinder 103 which is coupled to a bellows (not shown) by a hollow tube102. A launch ramp 104 is actuated by cylinder 103 to cause a toyvehicle traversing the launch ramp to be thrown into the air.

FIG. 6 sets forth a perspective view of an air pump unit constructed inaccordance with the present invention and generally referenced bynumeral 110. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that airpump unit 110 may be utilized in place of the hand compressible airbellows such as air bellows 81 set forth above. Accordingly, air pumpunit 110 includes a compressed air reservoir 111 supporting a manuallyoperated pneumatic pump 112. A plurality of stunt actuators 113, 114 and115 comprise manually activated air valves which are operable by theuser. Stunt actuators 113, 114 and 115 are coupled to a plurality ofpneumatic stunt devices (such as the stunt device set forth above inFIGS. 3, 4 and 5) by a plurality of flexible hollow tubes 82, 95 and102. Thus, actuators 113, 114 and 115 individually actuate the stuntdevice (seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5).

In operation, the user produces a stored reservoir of compressed airwithin reservoir 111 by operating manual pump 112. Once a quantity ofair has been compressed within reservoir 111, the user of any one orcombination of stunt actuators 113, 114 and 115 produces actuation ofpneumatic stunt devices within the host trackset.

FIG. 7 sets forth a section view of air pump unit 110. Air pump unit 110includes a reservoir 111 within which a conventional manually operatedair pump mechanism 112 is supported. Pump 112 is fabricated inaccordance with conventional fabrication techniques and includes a pumpvalve 119 and piston 125 for producing compressed air within reservoir111. Pump valve 119 further includes a check ball 127 which preventscompressed air return into pump 112 during the return (upward) strock ofpiston 125. Seal 126 maintains piston 125 to the interior of cylinder136. Unit 110 further includes a stunt actuator 114 which is operable bythe user to selectively couple compressed air from reservoir 111 to acorresponding flexible hollow tube 117. Thus, stunt actuator 114 is amanually operated air valve having an actuator 122 operating a valveseal 130 to move seal 130 away from valve seal 133 to open stuntactuator valve 114. Springs 131 and 132 urge seal 130 toward valve seal133. Thus, stunt actuator valve 114 is normally closed and is opened asthe user presses stunt actuator button 121. Once the valve is opened,the above-mentioned flow of compressed air within tube 117 is created.Air within tube 117 is coupled in place of air bellows 81 (seen in FIG.3).

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changesand modifications may be made without departing from the invention inits broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is tocover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spiritand scope of the invention.

1. A toy vehicle trackset pneumatically actuated stunt devicecomprising: a toy vehicle trackway; a toy vehicle movable on saidtrackway; a pneumatically operative stunt device coupled to saidtrackway such that said toy vehicle traveling said trackway encounterssaid stunt device; and a source of compressed air coupled to said stuntdevice, said source of compressed air being operated by a user toactuate said stunt device so as to act upon said toy vehicle.
 2. Thestunt device set forth in claim 1 wherein said source of compressed airincludes a manually operated air bellows.
 3. The stunt device set forthin claim 1 wherein said source of compressed air includes a pressurereservoir, a pump coupled thereto and an actuator for controlling theflow of compressed air from said pressure reservoir to said stuntdevice.
 4. The stunt device set forth in claim 3 further including aplurality of stunt devices and wherein said source of compressed airfurther includes a plurality of actuators each coupled to one of saidstunt devices.